Mandevilla plant named `Best Red`

ABSTRACT

A new variety of a Mandevilla plant is characterized by bright red funnelform to trumpet-shaped bright red flowers with slightly diamond-shaped corolla lobes opening deep pink and darkening to red within one to two days after anthesis and remaining on the plant an additional three to four days, and elliptical, ovate-shaped, leathery, dark green and evergreen leaves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid of Mandevillathat originated from self-pollination of Mandevilla×`Alice du Pont`(unpatented). Mandevilla×`Alice du Pont` is a hybrid from a cross of [M.splendens× (unknown species)]×M. splendens according to Bailey (seereferences). Pollinations were made by the inventor in a greenhouse atGem Ornamentals Inc. in Tavares, Fla., in 1995. The new variety is atender perennial that will freeze at temperatures of 32° F. or below.This new variety was selected for further evaluation because it hadbright red flower color and large flower size. The new variety has beenreproduced by asexual propagation (cuttings) near Tavares, Fla. Each ofthe progeny exhibits identical characteristics to the original plantestablishing this hybrid as reproducible and true to type.

This new variety is unlike any Mandevilla commercially available norlike those described by Graf or Bailey (see references) as evidenced bythe following unique combinations of characteristics:

1. Bright red flowers -large funnelform to trumpet-shaped bright redflowers with slightly diamond-shaped corolla lobes, opening deep pinkand darkening to red within 1-2 days after anthesis and remaining on theplant an additional 3-4 days. White blotchy pattern irregular butoccurring on all corolla lobes.

2. Elliptical -ovate shaped, leathery, dark green and evergreen leaves,measuring 7.7 to 12.0 cm. in length and 4.2 to 5.7 cm. in width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a photographic print in full color of a section of a two yearold plant illustrating the mature red flowers, shiny leaves, and vininggrowth habit.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new Mandevilla plantbased on observations in Tavares, Fla., where cuttings were rooted. Thecolor determinations and comparisons are all based on The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

Overall size and growth habit:

Size.--The ultimate size of the new variety is unknown as no plant hasreached full maturity. This new hybrid has grown between 1 to 1.5 m. in2 months under greenhouse conditions in the summer in Tavares, Fla. Themaximum size observed has been a plant with several vines reaching 3.5to 4.0 meters during one growth season (April through October) inTavares, Fla. Ultimate size will be determined by environment, length ofgrowing season and cultural practices such as light and nutritionallevels.

Growth habit.--The growth habit is a vining liana, twistingcounter-clockwise with opposite evergreen, elliptic to obovate leavesand large funnelform to trumpet-shaped bright red flowers borne inaxillary clusters on new growth.

Stems. The stems are olive-green, R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3,Yellow-Green Group No. 144B; lighter towards the tips, R.H.S. ColourChart Fan 3, Yellow-Green Group No. 144C. Stems are often tinged R.H.S.Colour Chart Fan 2, Red Purple Group 59B. Stems densely velvety,tomentose, hairs erect and colorless as seen with the naked eye.

Foliage:

Type.--Evergreen, herbaceous.

Arrangement.--Opposite.

Shape.--Elliptic to obovate.

Length.--7.7 to 12.0 cm.

Width.--4.2 to 5.7 cm.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Base.--Cordate.

Margin.--Entire.

Texture.--Leathery, minutely hairy.

Petiole.--0.5 to 1.0 cm.

Venation.--Pinnate.

Color.--Upper side of a mature leaf is glittering R.H.S. Colour ChartFan 3, Green Group 147A, midrib and veins are R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3,Green Group 143C. Under side of a mature leaf is opaque R.H.S. ColourChart Fan 3, 146A.

Inflorescence:

Type.--Simple raceme, apparently indeterminate.

Position.--Lateral, axillary, one per node.

Peduncle.--5.7 to 8.4 cm. (axil to first bud scar).

Raceme length.--9.5 to 21.5 cm. (base to highest bud).

Number of buds.--3 to 5.

Size of flower buds.--8 to 10 cm. before opening.

Number of open blooms.--1 to 2.

Pedicel.--Twisted, 1.7 to 2.1 cm.

Bracts.--Herbaceous, triangular, apex acute, 0.50 to 0.90 cm. long, 0.30to 0.55 cm. wide.

Sepals.--1.0 to 1.2 cm in length; 5 sepals per flower.

Corolla tube.--Straight; glabrous outside. Length 1.5 to 1.8 cm.Diameter at base 0.3 cm.

Corolla throat.--Conical. Length 3.5 to 3.8 cm. Opening width 2.0 to 2.2cm.

Corolla width.--10.0 to 12.0 cm.

Corolla lobes.--Unequally sided and diamond-shaped, apex obtuse,slightly eccentric, broadly spatulate to obovate, margins minutelyundulate, subentire, glabrous. Length 4.5 to 5.5 cm.; width 3.7 to 5.0cm.

Color.--Bud: rachis: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, Yellow-Green Group 144C.pedicel: On bud and newly opening flower, R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3,Yellow Green Group 144 C bractiole: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3,Yellow-Green Group 144C. New Bloom: Outside: sepals:R.H.S. Colour ChartFan 3, Yellow-Green Group 144C. Tips, margins and upper half are R.H.S.Colour Chart Fan 1, Red-Purple Group 60A. pedicels: R.H.S. Colour ChartFan 2, Red-Purple Group 60A. corollatube: The basal 3-4 mm are R.H.S.Colour Chart Fan 3, Yellow-Green Group 144C. The upper portion of thetube is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 53D. corolla throat: R.H.S.Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 53D. corolla lobes: R.H.S. Colour ChartFan 1, Red Group 55C. Inside: corolla lobes: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1,Red Group 65C. Midline area between the narrow and wider lobe halves isR.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 55A. The lower 1/3 of the throat isR.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, Yellow-Green Group 145D. The rest of thethroat is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 55 B. At the top of thethroat at the junction of the lobe proper is a narrow, irregular borderof R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 55A. The apex darkens to R.H.S.Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 54A. Old Bloom (2 days after anthesis)Outside: corolla tube: The lower one-third of the corolla tube is R.H.S.Colour Chart Fan 4, White 155A. The remainder of the corolla tube isR.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 53C. corolla lobes: The colorthroughout is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 53C. Inside: corollalobe and tube: The color throughout is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, RedGroup 53C.

Tubers.--The tubers taken from a one year old plant were irregular inshape varying from cylindrical to globose with constrictions occurringat regular intervals. The diameter was between 0.5 cm. and 2.0 cm. Theircolor was R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 4, Grey-Brown Group 199A.

Fruit and seed.--No fruit or seed have been observed on the new variety.However, anthers produce pollen and are normal in appearance.

Bloom fragrance.--Flowers are faintly fragrant in the late afternoon butnot distinguishable from the parent plant.

Blooming season.--Under normal central Florida conditions the newvariety will flower from early April through the end of October. Flowerslast 4-6 days which is similar to other varieties.

Disease resistance.--The new variety has disease resistance similar toother varieties. No unusual disease resistance has been noted in the newvariety.

Cold hardiness.--The new variety has withstood temperatures of 34° F.but is not frost tolerant.

DISTINGUISHING DATA

Mandevilla×`Alice du Pont` The new variety is distinguishable fromMandevilla×`Alice du Pont` in the following respects:

Mandevilla×`Alice du Pont`:

Leaf shape.--elliptic-oblong to ovate-oblong.

Leaf length.--10 cm. to 13 cm., longer than the new variety.

Leaf width.--4 cm. to 6.5 cm., slightly wider than the new variety.

Petiole length.--0.4 cm. to 0.7 cm., shorter than the new variety.

Flower color.--`Alice du Pont` corolla opens pink, R.H.S. Colour ChartFan 2, Red-Purple Group 63C, but darkens to R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 2,Red Purple Group 63A.The new variety opens in the red group, R.H.S.Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 55C and darkens in the red group to 55Btwo days after anthesis.

Throat color of `Alice du Pont` opens striated dark pink R.H.S. ColourChart Fan 2, Red-Purple Group 64C and darkens to 63A. The new variety'sthroat opens R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 53D and darkens to53C. White, R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 4. White Group 155B is also visibleat the base of the throat around the stamens of a mature flower of`Alice du Pont`. The new variety's throat is yellow -green as previouslydescribed. The overall growth habit of the new variety is similar to theparent variety `Alice du Pont`. Mandevilla `Ruby Star` The new varietyis distinguishable from Mandevilla `Ruby Star` (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8,842) in the following respects:

Mandevilla `Ruby Star`:

Leaf shape.--oblong to elliptic.

Leaf length.--13 .3 to 15.5 cm., longer than the new variety.

Leaf width.--4.0 to 5.3 cm. narrower than the new variety.

Margin.--repand and revolute.

Corolla lobes.--Irregularly obovate, apexes off-centered, 5.0 to 5.4 cm.length by 3.5 to 4.0 cm. width.

Flower color.--The color of the outside of the corolla tube ofMandevilla `Ruby Star` 2 days after anthesis is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan1, Red Group 53A. `Best Red` is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 53C throughout. The corolla throat and the narrow portion of the corollalobe of Mandevilla `Ruby Star` are R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group46A. The wider side of the corolla lobe is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1,Red Group 53C along the midrib. `Best Red` is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1,Red Group 53C throughout.

The color throughout the inside corolla lobe of Mandevilla `Ruby Star`is R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 46B. This color extendsapproximately 1 cm. into the upper portion of the throat. The Color ismost prominent along the veins. Between the veins the Color lightens toR.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 2, Red-Purple Group 63B. This results in astriping effect. The five bands along the fusion line of the petals isnow R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 4, White Group 155A and extend all the wayto the base of the throat. The yellow bands now extend only about 1/4 ofthe way up the throat and are now R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3,Yellow-Green Group 150D. The lobe and throat of Mandevilla `Best Red`are R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group 53C throughout.

REFERENCES

Bailey, L.H. and Bailey, E.Z., Hortus Third, Macmillian, New York(1976), p. 711.

Graf, A. B. Tropica -- Color Cyclopedia of Exotic Plants and Trees,Roehrs Co., East Rutherford, New Jersey (1978) P. 1030.

U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,842 Jul. 19, 1994, Mandevilla: "Ruby Star",Richard J. Henny.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Mandevilla plant substantiallyshown and described, characterized by bright red flowers.